See you for Sunday’s Sermon!

Happy Thursday, “Beloved,”

I hope you are having a great week, living out your baptism in all you do. Last weekend, we explored the truth that God names us in our baptism. The name God gives us Is—Beloved. I hope that you have been able to live into this truth this week. It takes practice to always remember, but what a blessing it is to know that God’s arms are there for us as we fall back

into the loving arms of the one who hails us, beloved.

This coming Sunday, we will pay homage to Martin Luther King Jr. This 20th-century prophet is known throughout the world as being a champion of justice. With everything that is going on in our country right now, it is imperative that we revisit Dr. King’s words, as well as the words of scripture. We need to be reminded that God is a God of justice and mercy. It is

through justice and mercy that God truly becomes love personified. So, indeed, we worship the God of Love AND embrace the fact that it is through justice and mercy that God’s identity is revealed. I hope you and your family will be with us in worship this week. I love being your Pastor.

Holding you close and lifting you high!

Pastor Greg

Spirituals

This coming weekend in Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the history civil rights and non-violent disobedience in our country. This was a movement very rooted in faith both in the 60s and well before. Musically much of this has been expressed in Black Spirituals that do an amazing job of capturing the longing for something to be new and hope that this day will come and in doing so also naming that things are often unjust and not right in the here and now. As a majority White congregation, many of do not know the fullness of the experience behind these spirituals, we don’t want to act as if this experience is our own, but we also want to humbly learn from the stories of others as well as recognize those places where commonalities exist. We will do a modern take on a spiritual this Sunday, but maybe you want to listen to some other spirituals this week as you reflect on MLK day. Two of my favorite groups are

The Spirituals Choir -

https://www.youtube.com/@thespiritualschoir6956

And the Fisk Jubilee Singers - https://www.youtube.com/@FiskJubileeSingers

Young Adult Group!

Our church has a budding fellowship group of young adults that will meet to build meaningful connections, through deep discussions and fun activities alike. On Sunday January 18 around 11:00am, after coffee hour, we will walk right across the street from church to Hilleary Park (13500 Community Rd, Poway). This will be a casual picnic at the park; food or drink to share is encouraged but not required. Anyone is welcome, whether or not you’ve attended our church, whether or not you’re even young (I won’t be checking birthdays). Any questions or suggestions, talk to Autumn (autumnhankinson4@gmail.com).

Greetings Friends,

As 2025 comes to an end, the Outreach Ministry would like to take the time to thank all of you for your support throughout the year.

Our community and world has been blessed beyond measure by your generosity🙏

Having a church family and wonderful friends like we have here at CCP, makes being God’s hands, feet and face for others.. pure a joy!!!

We wish you many blessings for the season and year ahead.

God bless you and Happy New Year,

Love the Outreach Ministry

Help support our Guatemala Team!

We have a group of volunteers going to work in Guatemala with Fundamaya leaving March 6th. Our CCP Outreach is asking our congregation to help support this service trip. Donations of children’s new or gently used preschool sizes 10 to 2 shoes, preschool size socks and adult reading glasses, are what is needed.

Also, during January and February you can also donate money as the Outreach special offering. Please make a note that the money is for the Fundamaya service trip. The team also appreciates your prayers! If you need any further information you can contact Mary Jo Longo or Colleen Clementson.

Books & More

On Tuesday, January 6, Books and More will start the new year with a novel by Matt Haig called The Midnight Library. This book is about a woman named Nora Seed, who after reaching a breaking point in her life, finds herself in a mystical library that allows her to explore the

infinite versions of her life and discover what truly makes it work living.

Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

Everyone is welcome to join this wonderful group of ladies every Tuesday in the Fireside Room at 10 a.m.

Thank you for checking out our BUZZ! Here is what you were waiting for! If you have a favorite joke or any tips to make the BUZZ even better, please send emails to julie@ccpucc.org :)

Joke of the Week: